Gambia's President Adama Barrow sworn in on home soil

Sunday, February 19, 2017 - 01:29

Thousands of Gambians watch President Adama Barrow being sworn in at Independence Stadium in Bakau. Saskia O'Donoghue reports

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(UPSOT) (English) PRESIDENT OF GAMBIA, ADAMA BARROW, SAYING:
"I Adama Barrow do swear I will not directly or indirectly reveal such matters as may be committed to my citizens, so help me God."
Gambia's new President Adama Barrow sworn in a packed stadium in Bakau, west of the capital Banjul.
The road to this point has been a rocky one.
The ceremony coming a month after former leader Yahya Jammeh, who ruled for over two decades, refused to leave office after a shock defeat in the December election.
Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994, cited 'voting irregularities' for the reason he wouldn't go.
His reluctance meant that Barrow was originally forced to take the oath in the Gambian embassy in nearby Senegal last month.
The crowds cheering wildly when Senegal's President arrived, thanks for his country's role in securing the safe return of Gambia's new president.
Barrow took the oath with Chief Justice Hassan Boubacar Jallow - a former UN prosecutor - a new appointment.
West African leaders who negotiated the departure of Jammeh present at the ceremony.
Thousands of troops from neighbouring states had prepared to enter the capital to force Jammeh out.
Barrow's government chose Saturday, the date of Gambia's independence from former colonial master Britain, for the long-awaited ceremony.

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